The price of beef has increased by Rwf500 to Rwf2,000, up from Rwf1,500 last week in Kigali, a survey conducted by Business Times has  discovered. However, other food prices went up slightly in Kimironko and Nyarugenge markets.A kilogramme of rice increased from Rwf750 to Rwf800, while that of bananas went up by Rwf70 to 170 from 100 over the same period. Irish potatoes, which were at Rwf180 last week, now cost Rwf200 a kilo. The price of maize flour increased from Rwf500 to Rwf600 in Kimironko and Nyarugenge markets."The general increase of the cost of living in Kigali has meant that we can only slightly increase prices of our merchandise to be able to pay bills,” points out Samuel Ngyendahimana, a l produce dealer in Nyarugyengye Market.He also attributes the marginal rise in prices to an increase in transport cost from the various rural areas to Kigali. "Therefore, we increased the prices to cover the increment in transport costs.”He added that the severe dry season that hit the countryside mid-last year, from June to September resulted in low food crop harvest and supply.    "We are, however, optimistic that the forthcoming crop harvest will be better than last year’s since the countryside has been receiving stable rains in recent months,” remarks Jackcline Musonera, an Irish potato vendor in Kimironko Market.